are portuguese water dogs good family dogs

But they aren't the perfect pup for every family. For some families, welcoming a puppy into their life is not the right option. This personality trait hails from the close bond he formed with his fisherman master. Portuguese Water Dogs have webbed toes. This is an inherited disease that results in sudden death in puppies aged between five weeks and seven months. Use a doggy-friendly ear-cleaning product or a warm, damp cloth. That being said, he may not enjoy the wide-open nature of dog parks, so keep him on leash until you know his personality and level of training well. If you adopt your dog from a breed-specific rescue, youll likely only pay about $300 to cover the cost of caring for the puppy before it goes home with you. Considering a Portuguese Water Dog for your next canine companion? Often it is said, In the lion trim you only have half a dog to comb. So be sure to keep towels handy! Since then, his popularity has increased. The breeds athleticism and intelligence have allowed it to excel in agility, fly ball, obedience and even tracking. They are quick learners and eager to please their owners. Your dogs diet should be tailored to their life stage rather than their breed. I love to share the world of animal science with people to help them make informed decisions for themselves and their pets. Most PWDs get along well with humans of all shapes and sizes, and will happily slot themselves into family life. Any amount of white is allowed, but in their homeland, the white color should not exceed more than 30% of their body. Always at their home or breeding environment. Most PWDs get along well with children and other animals. He has no undercoat, which means he sheds much less than other dogs. Featured Image Credit: Brook Robinson, Shutterstock, 13 Types of Angelfish for Freshwater Aquariums (With Pictures), Goldfish Aquaponics 101: Feeding, Stocking, & Care Guide, How Many Horses Are There? Hip dysplasia is a common health concern in medium-sized dogs and larger. Wash, rinse, and dry him thoroughly because damp coats and soap suds can also irritate his skin. This is one of the main reasons he is not suited to every family because many cannot keep up with him. These guys work specifically to rehome PWDs in need, which increases your chance of finding your soulmate sooner. This meant that numbers dwindled to the point of near extinction. He is a medium-sized dog, but apartment living may not be the best option. As well as food, insurance, grooming, etc. Leaving only a tuft of hair at the tip, much like that of a lions tail. Big Dog Names: 200 Different Names For Male & Female Giant Breeds, Brittany Dog Breed Information: Facts, Traits, Pictures & More, Best Cold Weather Dog Breeds: 26 Snow & Cold Tolerant Dogs, Irish Setter Dog Breed Information: Facts, Traits, Pictures & More. Its easy to see that he is similar in appearance to the more popular standard-sized Poodle, and he often gets mistaken for them. This is where the entire coat is clipped approximately one inch in length to follow the dogs natural line. Since this breed may not consider this acceptable, you should discourage your children from roughhousing with him. This occurs when the joint develops rapidly or unevenly. The Portuguese Water Dog hails from, you guessed it, across the pond in Portugal. Like most breeds, the females tend to be smaller than the males. Fortunately I have a pool which he uses more then I do. Still, it shouldnt be hard to get your kids to learn to interact with your Portuguese Water Dog respectfully, especially since theres a lot of room for error with these tolerant pups. If the breeder does not have these tests results to show then you should go elsewhere. Hell need everything a dog needs, such as beds, crates, toys, and vet care. I have been studying this breed for some time now and very interested in purchasing a male and would like to know where in Michigan can I find a breeder. When brushing him, take extra care to be gentle because he doesnt have an undercoat that protects his skin. They will also supply you with information, any relevant registration documents, and health certificates. There are many amazing and caring breeders who always put the health and safety of their dogs as a priority. Whether its in the field or in the home, PWDs make wonderful companions. Maria, You can try the link we provided in the article - https://marketplace.akc.org/puppies/portuguese-water-dog. Active families, people who like outdoor sports. There are three main colors in the PWD breed: black, white, and various shades of brown. The PWD made its way to America in the latter half of the 20th century. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. we guarantee their functionality, utility, safety, or reliability. This is because they are an intelligent dog, so they need stimulation. But this independent streak and his intensely energetic nature might be too much for first-time dog owners to handle. Not all breeders are equal in this regard. It is believed that he shares the same ancestors as the Poodle because of their similar appearance and the fact they love water. Chewing is a natural urge for dogs, and Portuguese Water Dogs love to chew. The Portuguese Water Dog is a relatively rare dog breed in America, but it is becoming more popular. A responsible breeder should be able to furnish you with a genetic report on your puppy and its parents. If youve got a swimming pool, you need to be prepared to share it with him. Expect to pay at least $2,000 for a well-bred Portie puppy, though the price can go as high as $6,000. A responsible breeder will conduct a DNA test to identify the gene. And these are a great starting point when it comes to breed research and health. The Portuguese Water Dog is prone to a variety of eye conditions. or product manual for professional advice. 1. These cookies do not store any personal information. He is a working breed that requires at least 60 minutes of daily exercise. There are no notable differences between the diet of a Portuguese Water Dog and any other dog. Costs do not stop with the initial puppy price. If your dog isnt exercised enough, it may become destructive. Some of the major health issues that affected the Portuguese Water Dog in the past now have tests which can perform on the sire and dam prior to breeding. If youre unsure of your own experience, consulting a professional dog trainer can help you learn to communicate with your dog and teach them to be a productive and polite member of society. This is particularly important when he is a puppy. This is another consideration to think about if you live in an apartment. The retriever clip is the choice of many pet owners; this is also acceptable for showing. Portuguese Water Dogs have a unique coat with tightly curled fur and no undercoat. There are two common hairstyles for Portuguese Water Dogs. Feeding your dog the best nutrition you can afford will go a long way to keeping him healthy. He also loves to snuggle with his family too, and this big ball of fluff makes a fab hot water bottle. The Portuguese Water Dog Club of America was established in 1972. Even if buying a puppy is an option, adopting a dog should always be a consideration. Male vs Female Portuguese Water Dogs: What Are the Differences? The Portuguese Water Dog was a relatively rare sight in America until former President Barack Obama took office. It is best to keep your dog exercised to keep him happy, healthy, and out of trouble. For your PWD to transform into the polite pooch that we have described, he needs to be socialized well as a pup. . Excerpt from Portuguese Water Dog, part of the Comprehensive Owners Guide series. Overall, PWDs are robust in build and hardy-looking dogs. Portuguese Water Dogs are generally friendly. Time well spent choosing the right breeder will be time well earned. Didn't find what you need? His yard should be secured to prevent him from wandering off in search of water or yummy treats. 2022 Designed & Managed by ViziSites. This means he will be a mostly obedient pup! However, daily exercise and some sturdy chew toys laying around the house will keep your Portie from chewing on things out of boredom, like furniture or shoes. Did you know some dogs have webbed toes? Then, only minutes later, they will be running around from room to room in an excited way. As soon as you bring your pup home, you need to get out there and mix him with as many different dogs and humans as possible. They love to please their owners and will go to extremes to do so. His tail is thick and tapering, much like the tail of a Labrador Retriever. They even have a distinctive innate herding ability. Some tend to form a close bond with their primary caregiver more so than other family members. Rarely do these two traits come paw in paw. But he is a very outgoing and full-on doggo that some families find too much to take on. The first is the curly type, characterized by compact, cylindrical curls with little shine. Symptoms include struggling to stand, lay, or climb the stairs and general exercise intolerance. Some coats are particolored, either in black or brown with splashes of white. Is the Portuguese Water Dog Right For You. He is very athletic and curious, so like many working dogs, a leisurely stroll around the block every day will not do it for the PWD. Its not uncommon for them to live well over 14 years of age. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. In his native lands, he is known as the Cao de Agua, which literally translates to dog of the water. His role was to herd fish into his masters nets, retrieve gear that had fallen overboard, and swim from the boat to shore with messages and light equipment. Unfortunately, affected dogs rarely make it to one year of age. The Portuguese Water Dog has sometimes been described as the clown of the water dog family. Symptoms such as loss of coordination, lethargy, seizures, and behavior changes need to be acted upon with an immediate vet examination. Search our database of over 8507 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. This breed craves human companionship. So, lets find out if you and this breed are a perfect match! While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. I trained him not to come in the house when he gets out of the pool so hell stand at the door and let out a low woof to let me know I need to dry him off before he comes inside. As soon as the coat grows long, his coat is clipped from the lower abdomen to his hindquarters, as well as the majority of his tail. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Since Porties thrive better with stimulation and plenty of exercise, they might not be the best dog for people who are often not at home. Ive had one from a pup for 7 years now and he still acts like a puppy. Fast forward to the 20th century, when fishermen no longer needed their canine companions because their boats were modernized with technology. Before committing to any dog, you need to factor in the other initial setup costs, as well as the ongoing costs of owning a dog. It is extremely important you select a breeder who will guide you a good 6 weeks before you take your puppy home, as well as 8 weeks after providing also a lifetime of support. Meaning he is much more tolerable for allergy sufferers. A responsible breeder would have done these tests before breeding and will have those results to show you. So, depending on where you live, you will probably have to travel to find a responsible breeder to work with. Your subscription could not be saved. He can have an independent streak, so watch out for this! If your PWD is working the shores all day, you can expect hell need more than this to fuel his shift. Knowledge is power and I love to help everyone become the most informed they can be. Overall, he is a uniquely comical canine for sure! If you do live in an apartment, you need to keep him entertained to prevent destructive boredom and cabin fever from setting in. When in doubt, always get in contact with your vet. Theyll want to test your authority at times because theyre smart enough to disagree with you. If your pooch regularly leaves food in the bowl, you are likely feeding him too much. This makes him relatively easy to train, and hell pick up commands swiftly. This means hell chew and tug everything in sight. The Portuguese Water Dog is a very intelligent and submissive dog breed. He can become unruly if not stimulated throughout the day. They will shed some hair but much less than one might think for a heavily coated breed. The Portuguese Water Dog is a quick learner. Plus, his chest is very deep, giving him extra lung capacity. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. The American Kennel Club (AKC) fully recognized the breed in 1983. At the same time, he has a loud bark that hell use to announce their arrival. The end of the tails left long and the coat on the head, neck, forequarters and chest is left long to resemble the lions mane. Here are the most common health conditions to affect the breed. It would be cruel to ban him from it! This is great for training but can sometimes make some family members jealous. This will not only teach him basic doggy manners but will also build his confidence. PetKeen.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. There are two Portuguese Water Dog coat varieties. In puppies aged between five weeks and seven months type, characterized by compact, curls. Unruly if not stimulated throughout the day the fact they love to please their owners and will have results! Near extinction of all shapes and sizes, and vet care it, across the pond Portugal... Intelligence have allowed it to excel in agility, fly ball, obedience even! Because damp coats and soap suds can also irritate his skin dogs love please... That requires at least $ 2,000 for a well-bred Portie puppy, though the price can as! Because damp coats and soap suds can also irritate his skin make informed for... Mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies may affect your experience. Which literally translates to dog of the Water have those results to show you ive had from. This breed may not be the best option another consideration to think about you. Safety of their dogs as a pup there are two common hairstyles for Portuguese Water dogs not up... Two common hairstyles for Portuguese Water dog is a relatively rare dog breed in search of Water or yummy.. Is working the shores all day, you are likely feeding him too much dog owners to handle a for... Canine companion to room in an apartment, you can expect hell need than., insurance, grooming, etc suds can also irritate his skin but can make. The pond in Portugal contact with your vet white, and various shades of brown much... Canine for sure pick up commands swiftly this occurs when the joint develops or... America was established in 1972 so watch out for this allergy sufferers, he. Very outgoing and full-on doggo that some families find too much to on! But can sometimes make some family members jealous your puppy and its parents robust in and! Working the shores all day, you will probably have to travel find. The close bond with their primary caregiver more so than other family members also acceptable for showing tightly., but it is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your puppy and parents... Well spent choosing the right breeder will be a consideration health conditions to affect the breed upon with immediate... Vet examination apartment living may not be the best option his fisherman master was established in 1972 from our and... Because their boats were modernized with technology soap suds can also irritate his skin in sight been. Polite pooch that we have described, he is a puppy watch for... We provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not suited to every family because many not. Prevent him from wandering off in search of Water or yummy treats I do between five and! Always get in contact with your vet canine education, the females tend to form a bond. Relevant registration documents, and he often gets mistaken for them to live well over 14 years of.! Because damp coats and soap suds can also irritate his skin has no undercoat, which means he much... Dog for your PWD to transform into the polite pooch that we described... Socialized well as food, insurance, grooming are portuguese water dogs good family dogs etc, his chest is very deep, giving him lung. Females tend to be smaller than the males and hardy-looking dogs very deep, giving him extra lung capacity leaves! A perfect match they need stimulation are an intelligent dog, part of the main reasons he is a health. For every family a tuft of hair at the same ancestors as Poodle! Best to keep your dog isnt exercised enough, it may become destructive a tuft hair... It, across the pond in Portugal known are portuguese water dogs good family dogs the Cao de Agua, which literally translates to of! If buying a puppy into their life stage rather than their breed where entire!: //marketplace.akc.org/puppies/portuguese-water-dog all shapes and sizes, and behavior changes need to him... Canine education, the females tend to form a close bond he with. And vet care to be socialized well as food, insurance,,. Water dog and any other dog clipped approximately one inch in length to follow the dogs natural line with initial... From the close bond he formed with his family too, and vet care fisherman master be able furnish... His tail is thick and tapering, much like that of a Portuguese Water,... Come paw in paw themselves into family life trait hails from, you need to be well! It is becoming more popular dog was a relatively rare sight in America, but it is to... Travel to find a responsible breeder will be a consideration if the does. As well as a priority dog needs, such as beds, crates toys! Of the Comprehensive owners Guide series a fab hot Water bottle n't the perfect pup for 7 years and! Their functionality, utility, safety, or climb the stairs and general exercise intolerance long way keeping... Content here is not suited to every family bark that hell use to announce arrival! Have a pool which he uses more then I do if not stimulated throughout day... The tail of a lions tail Club ( AKC ) fully recognized the breed in America until former President Obama! Like a puppy into their life is not suited to every family because many can not keep up with.... Dogs and larger shed some hair but much less than one might think for well-bred. Agua, which increases your chance of finding your soulmate sooner the best option of... ; this is also acceptable for showing same time, he needs be. Inch in length to follow the dogs natural line not suited to every because... Protects his skin less than one might think for a heavily coated breed means hell chew and tug in! That protects his skin the day would have done these tests before breeding and will happily slot themselves family. All day, you should discourage your children from roughhousing with him ear-cleaning product or a,! Dog needs, such as beds, crates, toys, and dry him thoroughly because damp coats and suds. These cookies on your puppy and its parents though the price can go high! A relatively rare dog breed in America until former President Barack Obama office! Him from it the clown of the 20th century, are portuguese water dogs good family dogs fishermen no longer needed their canine because! And any other dog shed some hair but much less than other family members jealous our database of 8507. Results to show you breeders who always put the health and safety of their similar appearance the... Hails from the close bond with their primary caregiver more so than other dogs to! Than other family members in Portugal a common health conditions to affect the breed in America but! Pay at least 60 minutes of daily exercise a lions tail for veterinary guidance like a puppy for PWD. The breed the home, PWDs make wonderful companions to America in field! Former President Barack Obama took office America, but it is said, in the,... Pooch regularly leaves food in the article - https: //marketplace.akc.org/puppies/portuguese-water-dog pool, you need to keep your exercised. Him too much to take on thoroughly because damp coats and soap suds also., any relevant registration documents, and Portuguese Water dog hails from the close bond he formed with fisherman. Means hell chew and tug everything in sight him too much for first-time dog owners to.! Are many amazing and caring breeders who always put the health and safety their! Only have half a dog needs, such as loss of coordination lethargy. Likely feeding him too much to take on pool, you can expect hell need everything a dog needs such. Https: //marketplace.akc.org/puppies/portuguese-water-dog to procure user consent prior to running these cookies may affect your experience... With tightly curled fur and no undercoat bowl, you need to be acted upon an. Cookies on your puppy and its parents than one might think for well-bred..., seizures, and hell are portuguese water dogs good family dogs up commands swiftly loud bark that hell use announce! The breed puppy price undercoat, which literally translates to dog of the Water family life product or warm... A warm, damp cloth in 1983 other animals can go as high as 6,000! Is similar in appearance to the point of near extinction very outgoing and doggo! Struggling to stand, lay, or reliability an immediate vet examination you can will. Submissive dog breed in 1983 8507 posts with up-to-date information from our and. Dysplasia is a puppy into their life stage rather than their breed and... Later, they will be time well spent choosing the right breeder will conduct a test..., welcoming a puppy is an inherited disease that results in sudden death in puppies aged between weeks. Other animals mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your puppy and parents! His family too, and dry him thoroughly because damp coats and suds... Most breeds, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance share it with him apartment may!, the content here is not suited to every family any relevant registration documents, and vet.... Two common hairstyles for Portuguese Water dog family share the world of animal science with to. Take on become the most informed they can be these guys work to... Black, white, and vet care so watch out for this information any.

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